Atomic Structure

for Secondary One Science

• Please make sure that you have a copy
of the A’ Level Chemistry Periodic Table
to refer to.

• You can download

a copy of the A’ Level
Chemistry Periodic
Table by either
scanning or clicking
on the QR code.
 What is the
modern theory
of atomic
structure?
Introduction to Atomic Structure
Introduction to Atomic Structure

• An atom is the smallest part of a

chemical element that demonstrates
all of the typical chemical properties
of that element.
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

The atom is composed of a small, dense nucleus that contains

protons and neutrons.
• Relative mass of a proton = 1 a.m.u.*
• Relative mass of a neutron = 1 a.m.u.*
• Relative charge on a proton = +1.
• Relative charge on a neutron = 0.
*a.m.u. is an abbreviation for atomic mass unit.
Introduction to Atomic Structure

Electrons orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels called

electron shells. The outermost electron shell is called the
valence shell.
• Relative mass of an electron = 1 / 1836 a.m.u.
• Relative charge on an electron = –1.
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• The inner electron shell can hold a maximum number of 2 electrons.

• The second electron shell can hold a maximum number of 8 electrons.
• The third electron shell can hold a maximum number of 8 electrons.
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• Atoms are electrically neutral because the number of electrons (which

carry a charge of –1) orbiting the nucleus equals the number of protons
(which carry a charge of +1) located in the nucleus.
Introduction to Atomic Structure
Introduction to Atomic Structure
Introduction to Atomic Structure

Particle’s Particle’s
Particle’s
Particle Location in Relative
Charge
the Atom Mass

Proton

Neutron

Electron
Introduction to Atomic Structure

Particle’s Particle’s
Particle’s
Particle Location in Relative
Charge
the Atom Mass

Proton Nucleus

Neutron Nucleus

Orbits the
Electron
Nucleus
Introduction to Atomic Structure

Particle’s Particle’s
Particle’s
Particle Location in Relative
Charge
the Atom Mass

Proton Nucleus +1

Neutron Nucleus 0

Orbits the
Electron –1
Nucleus
Introduction to Atomic Structure

Particle’s Particle’s
Particle’s
Particle Location in Relative
Charge
the Atom Mass

Proton Nucleus +1 1 a.m.u.*

Neutron Nucleus 0 1 a.m.u.*

Orbits the
Electron –1 1/
1836 a.m.u.*
Nucleus

*a.m.u. is an abbreviation for atomic mass unit.

Introduction to Atomic Structure
 Introduction to Atomic Structure
• Mass (Nucleon) Number
number of protons + neutrons

7 • Symbol of
Nuclide
Notation
3
Li  the element
Li = lithium

• Atomic (Proton) Number

number of protons
• number of neutrons = mass number – atomic number
number of neutrons = 7 – 3 = 4
• number of electrons = number of protons = atomic number
number of electrons = 3
 Introduction to Atomic Structure
• Mass (Nucleon) Number
number of protons + neutrons


19 • Symbol of
Nuclide
Notation
9 
F  the element
F = fluorine

• Atomic (Proton) Number

number of protons
• number of neutrons = mass number – atomic number
number of neutrons = 19 – 9 = 10
• number of electrons = number of protons = atomic number
number of electrons = 9
 Introduction to Atomic Structure
• Mass (Nucleon) Number
number of protons + neutrons


23 • Symbol of
Nuclide
Notation
11 
Na  the element
Na = sodium

• Atomic (Proton) Number

number of protons
• number of neutrons = mass number – atomic number
number of neutrons = 23 – 11 = 12
• number of electrons = number of protons = atomic number
number of electrons = 11
 How is atomic
structure
related to an
element’s
position in the
Periodic Table?
 1
Hydrogen 1 H Atomic Number 1

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 1

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 1
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 1
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (1) = 1
• The electron configuration of hydrogen = 1
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (1) + number of neutrons (0) = 1
 4
Helium 2 He Atomic Number 2

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 2

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 2
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 1
• The number of electrons in the valence shell of helium = 2 (complete)
• The electron configuration of helium = 2
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (2) + number of neutrons (2) = 4
 7
Lithium 3 Li Atomic Number 3

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 3

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 3
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (1) = 1
• The electron configuration of lithium = 2,1
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (3) + number of neutrons (4) = 7
 9
Beryllium 4 Be Atomic Number 4

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 4

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 4
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (2) = 2
• The electron configuration of beryllium = 2,2
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (4) + number of neutrons (5) = 9
 11
Boron 5 B Atomic Number 5

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 5

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 5
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (13) = 3
• The electron configuration of boron = 2,3
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (5) + number of neutrons (6) = 11
 12
Carbon 6 C Atomic Number 6

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 6

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 6
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (14) = 4
• The electron configuration of carbon = 2,4
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (6) + number of neutrons (6) = 12
 14
Nitrogen 7 N Atomic Number 7

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 7

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 7
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (15) = 5
• The electron configuration of nitrogen = 2,5
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (7) + number of neutrons (7) = 14
 16
Oxygen 8 O Atomic Number 8

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 8

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 8
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (16) = 6
• The electron configuration of oxygen = 2,6
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (8) + number of neutrons (8) = 16
 19
Fluorine 9 F Atomic Number 9

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 9

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 9
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (17) = 7
• The electron configuration of fluorine = 2,7
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (9) + number of neutrons (10) = 19
 20
Neon 10 Ne Atomic Number 10

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 10

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 10
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 2
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (18) = 8 (complete)
• The electron configuration of neon = 2,8
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (10) + number of neutrons (10) = 20
 23
Sodium 11 Na Atomic Number 11

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 11

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 11
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (1) = 1
• The electron configuration of sodium = 2,8,1
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (11) + number of neutrons (12) = 23
 24
Magnesium 12 Mg Atomic Number 12

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 12

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 12
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (2) = 2
• The electron configuration of magnesium = 2,8,2
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (12) + number of neutrons (12) = 24
 27
Aluminium 13 Al Atomic Number 13

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 13

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 13
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (13) = 3
• The electron configuration of aluminium = 2,8,3
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (13) + number of neutrons (14) = 27
 28
Silicon 14 Si Atomic Number 14

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 14

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 14
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (14) = 4
• The electron configuration of silicon = 2,8,4
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (14) + number of neutrons (14) = 28
 31
Phosphorus 15 P Atomic Number 15

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 15

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 15
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (15) = 5
• The electron configuration of phosphorus = 2,8,5
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (15) + number of neutrons (16) = 31
 32
Sulfur 16 S Atomic Number 16

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 16

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 16
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (16) = 6
• The electron configuration of sulfur = 2,8,6
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (16) + number of neutrons (16) = 32
 35
Chlorine 17 Cl Atomic Number 17

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 17

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 17
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (17) = 7
• The electron configuration of chlorine = 2,8,7
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (17) + number of neutrons (18) = 35
 40
Argon 18 Ar Atomic Number 18

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 18

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 18
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 3
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (18) = 8 (complete)
• The electron configuration of argon = 2,8,8
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (18) + number of neutrons (22) = 40
 39
Potassium 19 K Atomic Number 19

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 19

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 19
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 4
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (1) = 1
• The electron configuration of potassium = 2,8,8,1
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (19) + number of neutrons (20) = 39
 40
Calcium 20 Ca Atomic Number 20

• The Atomic Number equals the number of protons = 20

• For a neutral atom, the number electrons equals the number of protons = 20
• The number of electron shell equals the Period number = 4
• The number of valence electrons can be derived from the Group number (2) = 2
• The electron configuration of calcium = 2,8,8,2
• The Mass Number equals number of protons (20) + number of neutrons (20) = 40
 So the number
of protons in
the nucleus of
the atom
defines which
chemical
element the
atom belongs to!
 Can I tell
whether an
atom belongs to
a metallic or a
non-metallic
element from
its electron
configuration?
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• Atoms of metallic elements tend to have only

one, two or three electrons in their valence shell.
• Atoms of non-metallic elements tend to have
four, five, six, seven or eight electrons in their
valence shell.
• Note: This is only a general rule and there are
some exceptions.
 Is there
anything special
about atoms
that have a
complete
valence shell?
 Introduction to Atomic Structure
• Helium (He), neon (Ne) and argon (Ar) are noble gases
in Group 18 of the Periodic Table. Their atoms all have a
complete or full valence shell which is referred to as the
noble gas electron configuration.

• Chemical elements whose atoms have noble gas electron

configurations are very stable and very unreactive, and are
often described as being chemically inert.
Introduction to Atomic Structure

• USS Macon flying over New York harbour ca. 1933.

 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• Historically, airships were filled with hydrogen

gas. Although hydrogen is less dense than air, it
is also highly flammable.
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• The Hindenburg disaster – New York – 6 th May 1937.

 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• There were many disasters when airships filled

with hydrogen gas caught fire. The highly
flammable hydrogen burned very quickly and the
entire airship was engulfed in flames in a matter
of seconds.

hydrogen + oxygen → water

2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l)

Introduction to Atomic Structure
 Introduction to Atomic Structure

• Modern airships are filled with helium gas.

Helium is less dense than air and is also
completely unreactive (inert) making it a perfect
choice to fill airships with.
 Can atoms of
the same
chemical
element have a
different
number of
neutrons?
 Isotopes
• Isotopes are atoms of the same chemical element with
the same Atomic Number (the same number of protons)
but a different Mass Number (a different number of
neutrons).

• Because they have identical electron configurations,

isotopes will have the same chemical properties, i.e. they
will react in the same way.

• Because they have different mass numbers, isotopes

will have different physical properties, e.g. different
densities, different melting points and different rates of
diffusion.
Isotopes
 Isotopes

Isotope of Number of Number of Number of

Carbon Protons Electrons Neutrons

12
6 C
13
6 C
14
6 C
 Isotopes

Isotope of Number of Number of Number of

Carbon Protons Electrons Neutrons

12
6 C 6
13
6 C 6
14
6 C 6
 Isotopes

Isotope of Number of Number of Number of

Carbon Protons Electrons Neutrons

12
6 C 6 6
13
6 C 6 6
14
6 C 6 6
 Isotopes

Isotope of Number of Number of Number of

Carbon Protons Electrons Neutrons

12 12 – 6 =
6 C 6 6 6
13 13 – 6 =
6 C 6 6 7
14 14 – 6 =
6 C 6 6 8
 Why does
chlorine have a
Mass Number of
35.5? Is there
such a thing as
0.5 of a proton
or neutron?
 Isotopes
• Naturally occurring chlorine has two common isotopes,
35 Cl and 37 Cl.
17 17

• 3517Cl contains 17 protons and 35 – 17 = 18 neutrons

while 3717Cl contains 17 protons and 37 – 17 = 20
neutrons.
• The two isotopes of chlorine do not occur in equal
quantities. 75% is 3517Cl and 25% is 3717Cl.
• This means that if 100 atoms of chlorine were sampled
at random, 75 would be 3517Cl and 25 would be 3717Cl.
• The mass of 100 chlorine atoms would therefore be:
(75  35) + (25  37) = 3550.
• The average mass of a single chlorine atom would
therefore be 3550  100 = 35.5 (3 s.f.).
 So chlorine’s
Mass Number of
35.5 is simply
the average
mass of its two
main isotopes!

• The average mass of

the isotopes of a
chemical element is
correctly known as the
relative atomic mass.
 Isotopes
Definition of Relative Atomic Mass
• Relative atomic mass is the average mass of the
isotopes of a chemical element compared to 1/12th the
mass of a single atom of 126C.
• Because it is a ratio, relative atomic mass is
dimensionless i.e. it does not have any units.
• The 126C isotope has a mass of exactly 12.000.
Therefore, 1/12th the mass of a single atom of 126C is
exactly 1.000. This is known as the atomic mass unit.
• Note: The 11H isotope is not used as the reference
used to define relative atomic mass because it actually
has as mass of 1.008 and not 1.000!
 Isotopes
Question: There are two naturally occurring isotopes of
copper, 6329Cu and 6529Cu.

69.2% of naturally occurring copper is 6329Cu.

30.8% of naturally occurring copper is 6529Cu.

Using this information, calculate the relative atomic mass

of copper.
 Isotopes
Question: There are two naturally occurring isotopes of
copper, 6329Cu and 6529Cu.

69.2% of naturally occurring copper is 6329Cu.

30.8% of naturally occurring copper is 6529Cu.

Using this information, calculate the relative atomic mass

of copper.
• Mass of 100 copper atoms = (69.2  63) + (30.8  65).
• Mass of 100 copper atoms = 6361.6.
• Average mass of 1 copper atom = 6361.6  100.
• Average mass of 1 copper atom = 63.6 (3 s.f.).
Isotopes
Question:
A sample of
naturally occurring
magnesium was
analysed using a
mass spectrometer.
The results
obtained from the
machine are
shown. Briefly
interpret the results.
Isotopes
Question:
A sample of
naturally occurring
magnesium was
analysed using a
mass spectrometer.
The results
obtained from the
machine are
shown. Briefly
interpret the results.
24
12Mg
= 78.6%
25 Mg = 10.1%
12
26 Mg = 11.3%
12
 Isotopes
Question: There are three naturally occurring isotopes
of magnesium, 2412Mg, 2512Mg and 2612Mg.

78.6% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2412Mg.

10.1% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2512Mg.
11.3% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2612Mg.

Using this information, calculate the relative atomic mass

of magnesium.
 Isotopes
Question: There are three naturally occurring isotopes
of magnesium, 2412Mg, 2512Mg and 2612Mg.

78.6% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2412Mg.

10.1% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2512Mg.
11.3% of naturally occurring magnesium is 2612Mg.

Using this information, calculate the relative atomic mass

of magnesium.
• Mass of 100 Mg atoms = (78.6  24) + (10.1  25) + (11.3  26).
• Mass of 100 Mg atoms = 2432.7.
• Average mass of 1 Mg atom = 2432.7  100.
• Average mass of 1 Mg atom = 24.3 (3 s.f.).
 Why do atoms
react?
How do atoms
react?

• Atoms of the different

chemical elements react
in order to obtain the
stable electron
configuration of a noble
gas (Group 18).
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Sodium
Atom

• Atoms of metallic elements lose their valence

electron(s) in order obtain the stable electron
configuration of a noble gas.
• If a neutral sodium atom with 11 protons and
11 electrons loses its single valence electron…
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Sodium
Ion

…the resulting particle will have 11 protons and

10 electrons. Adding up the charges on all of the protons
and all of the electrons [(+11) + (-10)] results in an overall
charge on the particle of +1. The particle is described as
a cation or positive ion.
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Magnesium
Atom

• Atoms of metallic elements lose their valence

electron(s) in order obtain the stable electron
configuration of a noble gas.
• If a neutral magnesium atom with 12 protons and
12 electrons loses its two valence electrons…
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Magnesium
Ion

…the resulting particle will have 12 protons and

10 electrons. Adding up the charges on all of the protons
and all of the electrons [(+12) + (-10)] results in an overall
charge on the particle of +2. The particle is described as
a cation or positive ion.
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Chlorine
Atom

• Atoms of non-metallic elements gain electrons in order to

obtain the stable electron configuration of a noble gas.
• If a neutral chlorine atom with 17 protons and
17 electrons were to gain a single electron…
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Chloride
Ion

…the resulting particle will have 17 protons and

18 electrons. Adding up the charges on all of the protons
and all of the electrons [(+17) + (-18)] results in an overall
charge on the particle of -1. The particle is described as
an anion or negative ion.
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Oxygen
Atom

• Atoms of non-metallic elements gain electrons in order to

obtain the stable electron configuration of a noble gas.
• If a neutral oxygen atom with 8 protons and
8 electrons were to gain two electrons…
 Ions – Anions and Cations

Oxide
Ion

…the resulting particle will have 8 protons and

10 electrons. Adding up the charges on all of the protons
and all of the electrons [(+8) + (-10)] results in an overall
charge on the particle of -2. The particle is described as
an anion or negative ion.
 Simple Covalent Molecules

Two fluorine atoms – 2  F

• Atoms of two or more non-metallic elements can also

obtain the stable electron configuration of a noble gas by
sharing electrons.
 Simple Covalent Molecules

A single molecule of fluorine – F2

• A pair of electrons shared between two atoms is
referred to as a covalent bond.

• A small number of atoms of non-metallic elements that

are held together by covalent bonds is referred to as a
simple covalent molecule.
Atomic Structure
Presentation on
Atomic Structure
by Dr. Chris Slatter
[email protected]
Nanyang Girls’ High School
2 Linden Drive
Singapore
288683
Updated for alignment with the 2017
A’ Level Chemistry Periodic Table
8th January 2017